The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-08
THE GREAT QUAKE.
CHANGES OF A YEAR IN THE CITY
OF CHARLESTON.
The City Fully on its Feet Again.
,SDeciu1 TO atlanta Constitution.


people in the city are out in the open
air holding religious services tonight.
There is no unusual excitement
among the white people, but there
will be no perfect rest until day
dawns to morrow.
The 31st of August will be
memorable day in the history of
Charleston as long as the present
generation shall live and for many
years thereafter. One year ago to.
day this fair city lay in ruins. The
awful hand of Providence had been
laid upon it, and its people, camping
out in the open squares, knew moth
ing of the fate before them, and had
no hope for the future. There are
many sad and bitter memories con-
nected with the day-memories Of
sons and brothers and fathers and
daughters and wives slain and buried
in the ruins; Of sorrows which time
alone can heal; of homesteads de-
stroyed and household gods shat
tered; of crushed hopes and sullen
despair.
But to come down to facts and
figures. On the 7st Of September,
1886, over 5000 buildings in Char
lesion were in ruins and 10000 peo-
pie homeless. Later on, q careful
eatimate was made Of the money
value Of the damages that had been
sustained. The commission of en-
gineers sent here by the general gov
ernment estimated these damages
at between 100000 and S6,0O0,OO0,
which figures were subsequently
verified by commission appointed
by the insurance companies.
What has been done in the twelve
months that have elapsed since the
fateful 31st of August, 1886? What
has not been done Look at the
city to-day. The only actual traces
of the earthquake are to be found at
Hibernian hall, and, perhaps, in a
few other localities. Within three
days after the earthquake the mer-
chants of the city had cleared away
the debris in such Of the stores as
had not been absolutely destroyed ;
had excavated footpaths through the
ruins to their stores, and had re-
sumed business. Strangers who visit
Charleston to-day will have to search
very diligent for traces of the earth
quake other than such as are to be
found in the new houses and i'm
proved buildings that meet the eye
at every turn. Charleston has once
more risen from her ashes, and is
again the queen city of the south.
In the twelve months ending to day
permits were issued by the city au.
thorities for the erection Of 27l new
buildings at a cost of S45O,S75 and
for the improvement of l4l old build.
ings at a cost Of S144, 445. These
figures, it will be borne in mind, have
no reference whatever to the repair
of earthquake damages. They rep
resent over half million dollars in
vested in improving real estate in
the city during twelve months, not
counting the repairs rendered nee
essary by the earthquake. Add to
the amount 25 per cent for under
valuations, and it will be seen chat
the people of Charleston have spent
nearly three quarters of million
dollars on Improvements and ne"
buildings since the night of the 3lst
of August, 1886.
TO summarize, therefore, it may
be said that over 81 100000 has beer
received in Charleston during tho
past year and spent in repairing
property. The contributions are as
follows approximately: General re
lief fund, S64O,00O; churches, S2S6,
900; societies, lodges, ETC., $4,000
private individuals, S25,OO0. Total
! S1,003,OOO.
The expenditures in the way o
repairs to real property, ETC., during
the year was about as follows:
Through the relief committee
s640,C0O; private funds, repairs, l.
100000; new buildings, S5OO.OOO
churches, $5G0,0OO; city buildings
$4,000; improved oldebuildings
$140,0OO; total, S3,35O,O00-add un
der valuation, S20O,0O0--grand total
s3,550,O00.
This is what Charleston has don
in the way ofpulling herself together
1t is wonderful showing; it woul'
be encouraging under any circun
stances.
The Confederate Dead Near Chicago
WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-The SET
retary of War has approved the re